An insecticidal composition and method containing 2-halogeno-benzimidazole derivatives

ABSTRACT

2-Halogeno-benzimidazole derivatives having the structure WHEREIN R is selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, alkyl up to six carbon atoms, alkoxy of up to six carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, and lower alkyl substituted amino, R1 is selected from the group consisting of benzoylamino, halogenobenzoylamino, trifluoromethyl-benzoylamino, benzenesulfonylamino, halogenobenzenesulfonylamino- and loweralkylsulfonylamino R2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkali metal cation, and alkaline earth metal cation, Hal is halogen with an atomic number of at most 35 and m is an integer of from one to three are useful for control of keratin-devouring insects.

United States Patent Frick et al.

1 1 Aug. 22, 1972 [54] AN INSECTICIDAL COMPOSITION AND METHOD CONTAINING 2- HALOGENO-BENZIMIDAZOLE DERIVATIVES [73] Assignee: Ciba Geigy Corporation, Ardsley,

[22] Filed: March 4, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 19,142

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 570,184, Aug. 4, 1966,

Pat. No. 3,555,040.

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 6, 1965 Switzerland ..l1ll1/65 [52] US. Cl. .,..424/273, 117/1385, 252/171, 252/542, 252/544 [51] Int. Cl. ..A0ln 9/22 [58] Field of Search ..424/273 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,312,923 3/1943 Martin et al. ..424/273 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,015,937 1/ 1966 Great Britain ..424/273 Primary Examiner-A1bert T. Meyers Assistant Examiner-Dale R. Ore Attorneyl(arl F. Jorda ABSTRACT 2-I-Ialogeno-benzimidazole derivatives having the structure wherein R is selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, alkyl up to six carbon atoms, alkoxy of up to six carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, and lower alkyl substituted amino, R is selected from the group consisting of benzoylamino, halogenobenzoylamino, trifluoromcthyl-benzoylamino, benzenesulfonylamino, halogenobenzenesulfonylaminoand loweralkylsulfonylamino R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkali metal cation, and alkaline earth metal cation, I-Ial is halogen with an atomic number of at most 35 and m is an integer of from one to three are useful for control of keratin-devouring insects.

6 Claims, No Drawings AN INSECTICIDAL COMPOSITION AND METHOD CONTAINING Z-IIALOGENO-BENZIMIDAZOLE DERIVATIVES This application is a division of our pending application Ser. No. 570,184, filed Aug. 4, 1966 now US. Pat.

The present invention concerns insecticidal and acaricidal agents which contain 2-halogenobenzimidazole derivatives as active substances, new 2- halogeno-benzimidazole compounds, as well as the use of these active substances and agents containing them for combatting keratin-devouring insects and, preferably, for the protection of material containing keratin from injury by insects.

Benzimidazole derivatives carrying a low molecular halogen alkyl radical in the two position, which are optionally substituted in the benzene nucleus by one or more chlorine or bromine atoms, nitro, cyano, amino and alkylarnino groups, are already known (Dutch application 64/ 10,413) to be useful as herbicidal and pesticidal active substances for combatting weeds, insects, nematodes and mites. These 2-halogenoalkyl benzimidazoles, however, are relatively difficult to produce on a technical scale.

It has now been found that 2-halogenobenzimidazole derivatives of the general formula RID it. W9,

wherein Hal represents a halogen atom having an atomic weight of below 100, particularly chlorine or bromine, R represents a halogen atom, particularly chlorine or bromine, a nitro, hydroxyl or thiol group, an alkyl, alkoxy or alkylthio radical having up to six C atoms, a trifluoromethyl group, an amino group monoor disubstituted by low alkyl radicals, the benzoylamino group or a benzoylamino group substituted in the benzene nucleus by halogen or trifluoromethyl groups, the benzenesulfonamido group or a benzenesulfonamido group substituted in the benzene nucleus by halogen, trifluoromethyl or halogen and trifluoromethyl together, an alkylsulfonylamino group, an alkylsulfinyl or alkylsulfonyl radical or the radical of sulfonic acid and its salt, ester and amide forms, R, represents hydrogen or a metal cation, and m represents an integer of from two to four, have excellent activity against insects and their stages of development, such as moth larvae and also fur and carpet beetle larvae, which injure keratin material. Due to their affinity to keratin fibers, the 2-halogeno-benzimidazole derivatives of general Formula I draw onto these fibers from aqueous dispersions and, if R is hydrogen, also from aqueous solutions of their salts, and, in this way,

Those active substances of the general Fonnula I wherein several (up to four) radicals R are chlorine atoms are of particular interest.

Preferred active substances of general Formula I are those in which there is more than one R present. If there is only one R, then this should be in the fouror seven-position. If there are several chlorine atoms as substituents R, two of them should preferably be in the fourand seven-position. As sulfonic acid amide groups R, chiefly those derived from alkylamines, arylamines, alkenylamines and chloralkenylamines are used.

In part the compounds embraced by general Formula I are known substances, e.g., 2-chlorobenzimidazoles chlorinated in the nucleus.

New 2--halogeno-benzimidazoles of the general Formula II Rm l \N OH wherein R and m have the meanings give above, with phosphorus oxychloride (POCl or phosphorus oxybromide (POBr optionally in the presence of hydrochloric or hydrobromic acid and, if desired, transforming the 2-halogenobenzimidazoles so obtained into their salts.

This reaction is analogous to known processes. Similar processes are described in Helv. chim acta 44, 1278 (1961), J.Chem.Soc. 2934 (1963) and Gazz. chim. ital. 88, 13 (1958).

In a modification of the process according to the invention, 2 rnercapto-benzimidazoles of the general Formula IV wherein R and m have the meanings given in Formula H, are used as starting materials. The new 2-halogenobenzimidazole according to the invention are then obtained by:

a) oxidizing such starting. materials with potassium permanganate to form the corresponding 2-sulfonic acid derivative and reacting this with phosphorus pentachloride or phosphorus oxychloride to form the instable sulfonic acid chloride which decomposes into the corresponding 2-chlorobenzimidazole [Annalen der and,

Chemie 647, -7, (1961) describe similar reactions],

b) treating such starting materials with chlorine in the presence of water and, if desired, another solvent if desired, transforming the 2-halogenobenzimidazoles obtained according to a) or b) into their salts. [Similar reactions are described in J.Am.Chem.Soc. 72, 4890 (1950)]. Carbon tetrachloride and, particularly, glacial acetic acid are used e. g., as solvents for this reaction.

The production of the 2-hydroxy-benzimidazoles of Formula III used as starting materials in the process ac cording to the invention is described in Helv. chim.acta 44, 1278 (1961), J.Chem.Soc. 2934 (1963) and Gazz.chim.ital. 88, 13 (1958).

When the oxidative chlorination of nuclear unsubstituted 2-mercapto-benzimidazole is performed in acetic acid at room temperature for a longer time (5 hours), then, with simultaneous chlorination of the nucleus, a mixture of 2,5 ,6-trichloro-benzimidazole and 2,5,6,7-tetrachloro-benzimidazole is formed [1(- nobloch and Rintelen, Archiv. der Pharr'nazie 291 (63. Vol.) pages 180-184 (1958)]. v

The production of amino benzimidazoles is carried out by reducing the corresponding nitro benaimidazoles which in turn can be produced according to the above-described processes. The so-obtained amino benzimidazoles can be reacted, for instance, with carboxylic acid chloride or sulfonic acid chlorides to the corresponding amides. The so-obtained carbamido benzimidazoles or sulfamido benzimidazoles may be further substituted by halogen.

The Z-mercapto-benzimidazoles of general Formula IV which can be used as starting materials in the modified process according to the invention, can be ob tained by known processes, e.g., by reacting correspondingly substituted o-phenylenediamines with carbon disulfide, thiophosgene or thiourea. The 0- phenylenediarnines necessary for these reactions can be produced according to known processes.

The 2-hydroxy-benzimidazoles of general formula III which can be used as starting materials in the modified process according to the invention, can be obtained by known processes, e.g., by reacting correspondingly substituted o-phenylenediamines with phosgene or urea. The o-phenylenediamines necessary for these reactions can be produced according to known processes. 3

The following examples illustrate the production of 2 halogeno-benzimidazoles of the general Formula ll. Where not otherwise stated, parts are given by weight and the temperatures are given in degrees Centigrade.

EXAMPLE 1 2,4,5 ,6,7-Pentachloro benzimidazole 14 g of 2-mercapto-4,5,6,7-tetrachloro benzimidazole [produced by condensation of tetrachloro-o-phenylenediarnine with carbon disulfide, thiocarbonyl chloride or thiourea] are dissolved in 300 parts by volume of glacial acetic acid to which 25 parts by volume of concentrated hydrochloric acid and two drops of concentrated nitric acid have been added. 15 to parts of chlorine are passed into the mixture at 15 to 20. After about half of the chlorine has been introduced, an almost clear solution is obtained. On

further introduction of chlorine, gradually a thick paste is formed. 500 parts of water are added to the paste and the mixture is adjusted to a pH of 6 with solid sodium acetate. Thereby the product precipitates almost completely. The product is filtered ofi by suction, washed with water and dried. This product can be used in its crude form as component of agents for the protection of keratin-containing material.

On recrystallization from methanol, pure 2,4,5,6,7- pentachloro benzimidazole is obtained having a melting point of 283-285 (with decomposition).

The following compounds can be produced analogously: 2,5,6-trichloro-benzimidazole, from 2- mercapto-S,6-dichlorobenzimidazole; M.P. 21 8-220, with decomposition; and 2,4,5,7-tetrachlorobenzimidazole, from 2-mercapto-4,5,7- trichlorobenzimidazole; M.P. 255258, with decomposition.

EXAMPLE 2 2-Bromo-4,6,7-tribromo-5-chloroimidazole 18.4 parts of 2-mercapto-5-chloro-imidazole are suspended in 3000 parts by volume of water of while stirring; then 25 parts by volume of concentrated sulfuric acid are added. 43 parts by volume of bromine and a solution of 67 parts of potassium bromate in 500 parts by volume of water are added gradually. The mixture is stirred and boiled under reflux for 24 hours.

After excess bromine has been removed by distillation, the product is filtered off by suction and suspended in concentrated ammonia. The mixture is made strongly alkaline by the addition of 2N NaOH and the insoluble parts filtered off. The filtrate is adjusted to a pH of about 9 to 10 and the precipitate filtered off by suction and recrystallized from alcohol. The melting point is 278-279.

EXAMPLE 3 2-Chloro-5-amino benzimidazole hydrochloride 98.8 g of 2-chloro-5-nitro benzimidazole are dissolved in 2500 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid and 188.8 g of granulated tin is added gradually at 20 to 25. The mixture is stirred at 20 to 25 for 24 hours and saturated with gaseous hydrochloric acid under cooling with ice. Stirring is continued at room temperature for another 60 hours. The precipitate is filtered off by suction, dissolved in 4.5 l of water and the product precipitated by means of hydrogen sulfide. The precipitate is filtered off and the filtrate concentrated in a rotary evaporator at'a maximum temperature of 40. The precipitated white substance is filtered off by suction and dried over NaOH at 20 to 25. The yield is hydrochloride are added to 500 m1 of chloroform and 25 g of p-chlorophenyl sulfonyl chloride dissolved in 500 ml of chloroform are admixed thereto. 40 ml of water are added and 47 ml of triethylamine are added dropwise. The mixture is stirred at to for 12 hours, refluxed for another hour, and concentrated in a rotary evaporator. The residue is dissolved in ethanol, 1000 ml of ether added and the resulting ethereal solution purified by washing with 100 ml of diluted hydrochloric acid. The ether phase is extracted with 1N NaOH the aqueous NaOH acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid and the precipitate again extracted with ether. The ether extract is dried and evaporated in a rotary evaporator. 25 g of partly solidified oil is obtained. The residue is dissolved in hot ethanol, 400 ml of chlorobenzene are added and the ethanol distilled off. A coarse grained substance precipitates. The chlorobenzene solution is decanted while still hot. The residue is dried in a vacuum at 80.

Yield 14.3 g; M.P. 2l9-22l, with decomposition.

2Chloro-4,6,7-trichloro-5-[4-chlorophenylsu1- fonylamino] benzimidazole 10.2 g of 2-chloro-5-[4'-chlorophenylsulfonylamino] benzimidazole are dissolved in 100 ml of dimethylformamide and 0.2 g of ferric chloride addedthereto. 7 g of chlorine dissolved in carbon tetrachloride are added dropwise at 20 to within 2 hours. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 12 hours and the carbon tetrachloride removed in a rotary evaporator. The residue is dropped onto a mixture of ice and water, concentrated NaOH is added until all substance is dissolved, the solution is filtered and the filtrate acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid. The precipitate is filtered 011' by suction and washed with water until the filtrate has a neutral reaction. The precipitate is dried in a vacuum at 70.

Yield: 11.4 g; M.P. 125-l45.

Analysis: C H Cl N O S Calculated: 34.85% 1.39% 39.57% 9.38% 8.04% 7.16% Found: 34.91% 1.54% 39.71% 9.71% 8.21% 6.95%

The following compounds of Formula I can be produced as described in the foregoing examples:

benzirnidazole 8 2,5,6-trichloro-4,7-dimethyl- 247249 benzimidazole 9 2,4,5,6-tetrachloro-benzimidazole 234 (decomposition) 10 2,4,5,6-tetrachloro-7-bromo- 282-283 benzimidazole 1 1 2,5,6,7-tetrachloro-4-methyl- 265 benzimidazole 12 2,4,6,7-tetrachloro-benzimidazole 255-258 (decomposition) 13 2,4,5,7-tetrachloro-6-methoxy- 215-21 7 benzimidazole 14 2,6-dibromo-4,5,7-trich1oro- 292-295 benzimidazole l5 2,7-dibromo-4,5,6-trichloro- 287 (debenzimidazole composition) 16 2,7-dibromo-5-trifluoromethyl-6-chloro- 136 (debenzimidazole composition) 17 2,4,7-tribromo-5 ,6-dichloro- 278-279 benzimidazole l8 2,5,7-tribromo-4,6-dichloro- 29029 1 benzimidazole l9 2,4,6,7-tetrabromo-5-ch1oro- 278-279 benzimidazole 20 2,4,5 ,6,7-pentachloro-benzimidazole 283-285 (decomposition) 21 2,4,5,6,7-pentabromo-benzimidazole 294-295 22 chlorinated 2chloro-benzimidazole 240 (58.1%Cl) (decom- P silion) 23 2,6-dichloroS-methylsulfonylaminobenzimidazole 24 2,4,6-trichloro-S-methylsulfonylaminobenzimidazole 25 2,4,6-trichloro-5 -(4'-chloro-phenyl- 190 sulfonylamino)-benzimidazole (decomposition) 26 2-chloro-4,6,7-tribromo-5- methylsulfonylamino-benzimidazole 27 2-chloro-5-(3 '-trifluoromethyl-4- 188-191 chlorophenylsulfonylamino)- benzimidazole 28 2,4,6,7-tetrachloro-5-(4 '-chlorophenylsulfonylamino)-benzimidazole (decomposition) 29 2-chloro-5-(3 ',4-dichlorobenzoyl- 214215 amino )-benzirnidazole 30 2-chloro-5-(2 ,4',5 '-trichlorobenzoyl- 283 (deaminobenzimidazole composition) 31 2,4-dichloro-5-(3 ,4

dichlorobenzoylamino benzirnidazole 32 2,6-dichloro-5-(2 ,4 ,5

trichlorobenzoyl amino)-benzimidazole 33 Mixture of 70% of 2,4,6,7-tetrachloroand 170 30% 2,4,6-trichl0ro-5-( 3 ,4 '-dichloro- (decompositbenzoylamino)-benzimidazo1e ion) 34 2-chloro-5-(3 '-trifluoromethyl-4'- chlorophenylcarbamoyl benzimidazole 35 2,4,6-trichloro-5-(4- 223225 chlorophenylsulfamoyl)- benzimidazole 36 2,4,6-trichloro-5-[ 3 ,4 '-dichloro-(N- 210 methyl phenylsulfamoyll-benzimidazole (decomposition) EXAMPLE 6 To a solution of 2.9 parts of 2,4,5,6,7-pentachlorobenzimidazole in 40 parts by volume of warm methanol, a solution of 3.2 parts of barium hydroxide in parts by volume of warm water is added, while stirring. Undissolved particles are filtered off and the filtrate is evaporated to dryness. The barium salt of 2,4,5,6,7-pentachlorobenzimidazole obtained melts at 3 17 (with decomposition).

If, instead of the 3.2 parts of barium hydroxide, 0.4 parts of magnesium oxide are used and the combined solutions are heated to 70-80 for 10 minutes, then with otherwise the same procedure the magnesium salt of 2,4,5,6,7-pentachlorobenzimidazole is obtained, M.P. 321 (with decomposition).

The activity of 2-halogen-benzimidazole derivatives of general formula-I against insects which injure keratin material was tested as given below.

TEST METHODS AND RESULTS A 0.5 percent stock solution of each active substance to be tested in ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (methyl cellosolve) is prepared. Then an aqueous application liquor was prepared at room temperature which contains 20 ml of the stock solution mentioned (0.1 g of active substance) in 400 ml liquor. g of wool flannel are then well wetted with hot water and introduced into the liquor at room temperature. While constantly circulating the woollen sample, the bath temperature is raised to 60 C within minutes, then 2 percent of 80 percent formic acid (calculated on the weight of the wool) are added and the treatment in the liquor is continued for another 30 minutes at this temperature. It is then cooled, the woollen sample is rinsed in running tap water, centrifuged and, for the purpose of drying, is hung up. The concentration of active substance is 1 percent, calculated on the weight of the wool.

The sample so dried is then subjected to the moth proofing test (injury by clothes moth Tineola biselliella) according to the Swiss Association for Standardization leaflet 95901 and also it is tested for fastness to the fur beetle larvae (Attagenus piceus) and carpet beetle larvae (Anthrenua vorax) according to Swiss Association for Standardization leaflet 95902; the. method for Anthrenus larvae was simply applied to Attagenus piceus larvae in that 6 7 week old larvae of the latter type were used for the test. In principle, the method consists in cutting four equal sized pieces from the treated wool flannel sample and exposing each of these pieces for 14 days at a constant temperature (28C) and constant relative humidity (65percent), to the attack (voracity) of 15 larvae of the relative pest (two pieces of material with the same pest).

The results are evaluated according to the following scale:

No. Compound Moths 1 2-chloro-4,7-dibromo-benzimidazole 2 2,5-dichloro-4,7-dibromobenzimidazole 3 2,5-dichloro-4,6,7-tribromo-benzimidazole 4 2,4,6-trichloro-5,7-dibromo-benzimidazole 5 2,4,5-trichloro-4,7-dibromo-benzimidazole 6 2,4,5,6-tetrachloro-7-bromo-benzimid- 7 2,4,5.7-tetrachloro6-methoxybenzimidazole 8 2,5,6,7-tetrachloro-4-methylbenzimidazole 9 2,6-dibromo-4,5,7-trichloro-benzimidazolc eenc lactose l0 2,7-dibromo-4,5,G-trichloro-benzimidazole 2,x-dibromo-S-tritIuoromeIhyI-G chlorobenzimidazole l2 2,4,7-tribromo-5,dichloro-benzimidam 13 2,5,7-tribromo-4,6-dichloro-benzimid- The compounds of general Formula I can be used according to the usual methods for textile finishing. They have affinity to keratin material and are excellently suitable, therefore, for the protection of such materials from injury by insects, in particular they are suitable for the wash and light fast mothproofing of such materials both in the crude as well as in the processed state, for example of raw or processed sheeps wool as well as other animal hairs, fells and furs. In addition to the wash and light fast moth-proofing in the dyebath, the compounds can also be used for the impregnation of wool and woollen articles in dry cleaning processes, the materials then becoming equally excellently moth proofed.

In addition to their insecticidal action on the larvae of the clothes moth, the compounds of Formula I are also active against the larvae of the fur and carpet beetles. The textiles treated in any way with the compounds according to the invention such as woollen blankets, woollen carpets, woollen underwear, woollen clothes and knitted goods, are given protracted protection from the usual types of insects which are injurious to keratin material.

The agents used for the protection of keratin materials against injury by insects should contain the active substances of Formula I in a finely dispersed form. Thus, solutions, suspensions and emulsions of the active substances in particular are used.

As the compounds contain a hydrogen atom in the heterocyclic ring (R H), in the form of their alkali metal salts they generally have good water solubility. They can be applied to the keratin material direct from these aqueous solutions, either by dipping the material for a shorter or longer time in the alkali metal salt solutions, or spraying them with the solutions, or by treating them in the solutions at a raised temperature as in dyeing processes.

Because of their solubility in organic solvents, these compounds are also particularly well suited for application from non-aqueous media. Thus, the materials to be protected can simply be impregnated with these solutions, or if a suitable solvent is chosen, the moth proof finishing can be combined with a dry cleaning process.

Propylene glycol, methoxyethanol, ethoxyethanol and dirnethyl forrnarnide have proved to be particularly suitable organic solvents, to which can be added distributing agents and/or other auxiliaries such as sodium hydroxide. Emulsifying agents such as sulfated ricinus oil, sulfite waste liquor and fatty alcohol sulfates are particularly mentioned as distributing agents.

Agents according to the invention for combating insect larvae which injure keratin material and the use of these agents for the protection of keratin materials form injury caused by such pests are most closely described in the following examples. Parts are given therein as parts by weight and the temperatures are in degrees Centigrade.

EXAMPLE 7 0.5 Parts of 2,4,5 ,7-tetrachloro-benzimidazole are dissolved with the aid of 10 parts of 0.1N sodium hydroxide solution and a little methanol in the form of the sodium salt. This solution is diluted with 3000 parts of water and 100 parts of wool are treated for 15 minutes in this liquor at 60. 5 Parts of 10 percent acetic acid are then added and the treatment is continued for another hour at 60. The wool is then rinsed in the usual way and dried. On being tested, it proves to be resistant to attack by the larvae of moths, fur and carpet beetles.

EXAMPLE 8 The following process, for example, can be used for the application of 2,4,5,6,7-pentachlorobenzimidazole:

0.5 Parts of active substance are dissolved in 10 parts of dimethyl formamide and the solution is poured into 3000 parts of water containing about 1 2 parts of an emulsifying agent, e.g., sulphated ricinus oil.

100 Parts of wool are treated in this liquor at the boil for 30 minutes. After rinsing and drying, the wool.

2 wherein R is halogen, nitro, alkyl of up to six carbon atoms, alkoxy of up to six carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, or lower alkyl-substituted amino,

R is benzoylamino, halogenobenzoylamino, trifluromethylbenzoylamino, benz'enesulfonylamino, halogenobenzenesulfonylamino, or lower alkylsulfonylamino,

R is hydrogen or an alkali metal cation or alkaline earth metal cation,

Hal is halogen with an atomic number of at most 35,

and

m is an integer of from one to three, and an inert carner.

2. A composition as defined in claim 1, wherein said benzimidazole is 2,5,6,7-tetrachloro-4-methyl benzimidazole.

3. A composition as defined in claim 1, wherein said benzimidazole is 2,4,5,7-tetrach1oro-6-methoxybenzimidazole. a

4. A method for protecting woolen material from benzimidazole is 2,5,6,7-tetrachloro-4-methyl benzimidazole.

6. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said benzimidazole is benzimidazole.

2,4,5,7-tetrachloro-6-methoxy 

2. A composition as defined in claim 1, wherein said benzimidazole is 2,5,6,7-tetrachloro-4-methyl benzimidazole.
 3. A composition as defined in claim 1, wherein said benzimidazole is 2,4,5,7-tetrachloro-6-methoxy-benzimidazole.
 4. A method for protecting woolen material from keratin-devouring insects and their larvae selected from the group consisting of moths, fur beetles and carpet beetles which comprises applying to said material, in an insecticidally effective amount, a benzimidazole compound as defined in claim
 1. 5. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said benzimidazole is 2,5,6,7-tetrachloro-4-methyl benzimidazole.
 6. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said benzimidazole is 2,4,5,7-tetrachloro-6-methoxy benzimidazole. 